As of 1 July, apple and pear stocks were significantly higher than in 2021, on both sides of the Atlantic, the World Apple and Pear Association has revealed
According to figures released by WAPA, the World Apple and Pear Association, European apple stocks were 16.5 per cent higher than in 2021 as of 1 July this year, at 535,521 tonnes.
European pear stocks were up 27 per cent compared with 2021 at 27,535 tonnes. Meanwhile, in the US, pear stocks stood at 10,403 tonnes as of 1 July, 75.2 per cent above last year.
In terms of apple varieties, Jonagold stocks were 108.4 per cent up compared with 2021, while Gala, Red Jonaprince and Golden Delicious were up 29.4 per cent, 25.3 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.
Several varieties also recorded a decrease compared with 2021, most notably Gloster, stocks of which are half what they were in July 2021, and Granny Smith, which has seen its stocks decline by 33.8 per cent.
As for European pear stocks, the rise of 27 per cent is apparently down to higher volumes of Rocha (up 4,060 tonnes compared with 2021) and Conference (up 1,970 tonnes).
Pears stocks in the US are significantly higher, with Anjou volumes standing at 9,223 tonnes and Red Anjou also up by 957 tonnes.
The topfruit sector meets this week for the annual Prognosfruit conference, which is taking place in person once again this year, this time in Belgrade, Serbia, with experts set to discuss the outlook for the coming season, as well as the main challenges currently facing the sector.
